Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 120-3-23-.02 - Definitions

(1) "Acceptable"means having been inspected by the Commissioner or his/her representative and approved for the intended usage.

(2) "Approved"means in addition to being acceptable, as defined herein, a device, practice, or method mandated by a coexistent authority of the Commissioner (such as the D.O.T.).

(3) "Approved Training"means any training or continuing education made available by an official company or individual specifically qualified and insured to provide such training (including equipment manufacturers) as acceptable to the Commissioner.

(4) "Clean Agent"means an electrically non-conducting, volatile, or gaseous fire-extinguishing agent that does not leave a residue upon evaporation.

(5) "CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide)"means a colorless, odorless, electrically non-conductive inert gas suitable for use in portable extinguishers or fire systems.

(6) "Commissioner"means the Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner or his/her designated representative.

(7) "Continuing Education"means education, information or training derived from participating and successfully completing a course, class or seminar pertaining to the fire protection industry for the purpose of increasing one's aptitude, knowledge or skill in a particular area or task which is acceptable to and approved by the Commissioner prior to receiving credit units.

(8) "Credit Units"means actual hours of active participation in a course, class or seminar pertaining to the fire protection industry for the purpose of increasing one's aptitude, knowledge or skill in a particular area or task. One hour of personal course contact acceptable to the Commissioner will equal one credit unit.

(9) "DOT"means the United States Department of Transportation.

(10) "EMT"means electrical metallic tubing used for enclosing detection cables, remote pull stations, gas shut offs and electrical wiring.

(11) "Engineered Special Hazard Fire Suppression System"means any fire suppression system having pipe lengths, number of fittings, number and types of nozzles, suppression agent flow rates, and nozzle pressures as determined by calculations derived from the appropriate standards of the National Fire Protection Association, whether those calculations are performed by hand or by a computer program or by other method of calculation. These systems may consist of other components, including, but not limited to, detection devices, alarm devices, and control devices as tested and approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and shall be manufacturer listed as compatible with the fire suppression system involved.

(12) "Fire Suppression System"means any fire-fighting system employing a suppression agent for the purpose of controlling, suppression, or extinguishing a fire in a specific hazard. The suppression agent shall be a currently recognized agent or water additive required to control, suppress, or extinguish a fire. The term fire suppression system shall include engineered special hazard and pre-engineered fire suppression systems as defined in these rules and regulations and shall not include those systems addressed in Chapter 11 of Title 25 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

(13) "Firm"means any corporation, business, person, partnership, organization, association, contractor, individual or other entity, engaged in the business of installing, inspecting, altering, maintaining, recharging, repairing or servicing fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems.

(14) "Full Time Employee" means an individual who works for the firm and is on payroll for a minimum of thirty and one half hours of paid service per week, per employer.

(15) "High Pressure Cylinder"means cylinders and cartridges containing nitrogen or compressed gases at a service pressure higher than 500 psi (3447 kPa) at 70°F (21°C).

(16) "Hydrostatic Testing"means cylinder pressure testing by water jacketed test pressure means.

(17) "Industrial Fire Suppression System"means a pre-engineered automatic fire extinguishing system provided for the protection of property or equipment as described by the manufacturer other than those systems covered under the definition of kitchen or restaurant fire suppression system.

(18) "Inspection"means a thorough examination which is part of the designated or prescribed maintenance of a fire extinguisher or of a fire suppression system to give maximum assurance that the fire extinguisher or fire suppression system is in its proper location, appropriately sized for the hazard it is intended to cover, there is no physical or chemical damage to prevent its proper operation, the extinguisher or system is fully charged and is in proper operating condition. Such procedure shall only be conducted by a properly permitted technician unless otherwise exempted by Chapter 12 of O.C.G.A. Title 25 or by this Chapter. It includes a thorough examination by inspection and any necessary repair or replacement of components as well as, revealing if hydrostatic testing is required.

(19) "Kitchen or Restaurant Fire Suppression System"means an automatic fire extinguishing system provided for the protection of grease removal devices, hoods, duct systems, cooking equipment and listed for such use as outlined in National Fire Protection Association Standard 96, Standard for Removal of Smoke and Grease-Laden Vapors from Commercial Cooking Equipment edition as adopted and modified by Chapter 120-3-3 Rules and Regulations of the Safety Fire Commissioner, and systems classified under UL300A.

(20) "License"means the document issued by the Commissioner which authorizes a firm to engage in the business of installation, repair, alteration, recharging, inspection, maintenance, service or testing of fire suppression systems or portable fire extinguishers.

(21) "Low Pressure Cylinder"means those cylinders having an operating or service pressure of 500 psi (3447 kPa) or lower at 70°F (21°C).

(22) "Maintenance"means a thorough examination of the portable fire extinguisher or fire suppression system. It is intended to give maximum assurance that a fire extinguisher or fire suppression system will operate effectively and safely. It includes a thorough examination by inspection and any necessary repair or replacement of components as well as, revealing if hydrostatic testing is required.

(23) "Manufacturer's Certification"means certification derived from participating and successfully completing a training course issued by the manufacturer or other designated agent or representatives authorized by the original equipment manufacturer.

(24) "NAFED"means National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors.

(25) "NFPA"means National Fire Protection Association.

(26) "NICET"means National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies and, when used in this regulation, refers to the Special Hazards Systems program areas.

(27) "Permit"means the document issued by the Commissioner which authorizes an individual to install, inspect, repair, recharge, service, or test fire suppression systems or portable fire extinguishers as a direct result of meeting the minimum qualifications herein for which the individual has applied.

(28) "Portable Fire Extinguisher"means a portable device containing an extinguishing agent that can be expelled under pressure for the purpose of suppressing or extinguishing a fire. The device must be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. The device must bear a manufacturer's name and serial number. The listings, approvals, and serial numbers may be stamped on the manufacturer's identification and instruction plate or on a separate plate of the testing laboratory soldered or attached to the extinguisher shell in a permanent manner as set forth by the listing or approving organization.

(29) "Pre-Engineered Fire Suppression System"means any system having predetermined flow rates, nozzle pressures, and quantities of an extinguishing agent. These systems have specific pipe sizes, maximum and minimum pipe lengths, flexible hose specifications, number of fittings, and number and types of nozzles prescribed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. The hazards protected by these systems are specifically limited as to the type and size by the testing laboratory based upon actual fire tests. Limitations on hazards that can be protected by these systems are contained in the manufacturer's installation manual, which is referenced as part of the listing.

(30) "RIN"means the current retester identification number issued by the DOT or its designated agency, to retest facilities that can then legally perform cylinder requalifications. Only the DOT or its designated agency has the authority to issue such numbers in the United States.

(31) "Service"means the performance of an inspection, installation, maintenance or repair of a portable fire extinguisher or fire suppression system.

(32) "Service Location"means any location where the inspection, installation, or repair is performed on any portable fire extinguisher or fire suppression system covered by these rules and regulations including mobile service vehicles.

(33) "Standard"means any official NFPA publication pertaining to the fire protection industry and addressed in this Chapter.

(34) "Visual Inspection"means a monthly "quick check"to determine that a portable fire extinguisher or fire suppression system cylinder is available and has not been discharged. A visual inspection is intended to give reasonable assurance that the extinguisher or system cylinder is fully charged and operable. A visual inspection is done by verifying the extinguisher or system cylinder is in its designated place, it has not been actuated or tampered with, and there is no obvious physical damage or condition that would prevent its operation. This inspection may be conducted by the equipment owner, his/her employee or a written designated representative of the equipment owner and is not to be confused with inspections conducted under the designated or prescribed maintenance procedures of a portable fire extinguisher or fire suppression system.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 120-3-23-.02

O.C.G.A. Secs. 25-2-4, 25-12-15, 33-2-9, 50-13-21.

Original Rule entitled "Definitions"adopted. F. July 23, 1992; eff. August 12, 1992. Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Oct. 11, 2007; eff. Oct. 31, 2007.